Correspondent
IMPHAL, AUGUST 12
Fourteen Manipuri players who did the country and its native state Manipur proud by winning 8 medals besides representing the country in the recently concluded Glasgow Commonwealth Games were honoured by awarding cash incentive worth of Rs 95 lakhs during a felicitation function in Imphal on Tuesday.
Manipur Governor VK Duggal, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Manipur Olympic Association President and Public Health Engineering Minister Irengbam Hemochandra and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Affairs & Sports, M Prithviraj were present in distributing of cash incentive to the medalists and participants during a colourful reception function at the Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium in Imphal today.Speaking on the occasion Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said that the government of India has awarded a sum of Rs 100 crores for upgradation of Khuman Lampak sports complex in Imphal acknowledging the contribution made by out sportspersons.
“The scheme of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan of the government of India is also being implemented in the state to promote sports at the grass-root level”, says Ibobi. “The scheme provides setting up of block level sports complex in all block headquarters with facilities for outdoor playfield etc.”
It is pertinent to mention here that the government of Indian is going to start a sports university in Manipur and for which an allocation of Rs 100 crores is made in the current year as announced in the budget, he added.
During the felicitation, a cheque of Rs 15 lakhs was given to gold medalist Sanjita Khumukcham, while Rs 10 lakhs each to those players who earned Silver medals, including Hockey players of India team Kadangbam Kothajit of Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai and Kangujam Chinglensana of Bashikhong, Imphal
The other Silver medalists were Mirabai (Weightlifting 48 kg), Susila Likmabam (Judo 48 kg), Laishram Sarita (Boxing 57-60 kg), Devendro (Boxing 49 kg) Kothajit and Chinglensana particpipated in the India team which grasped the runners-up title.
Judo player Kalpana from Kakwa Naorem Laikei also received a cash incentive of Rs 8 lakhs. Participanting players Sunibala Huidrom from Mayang Imphal (Judo), Jina Devi Chongtham from Mayang Imphal (Judo), Anuradha Thokchom from Basikhong (Hockey), Pukhrambam Susila of Thangmeiband (Hockey), Sunita Yanglem (Cycling) and Ramananda Kongrailatpam from Chingmeirong (Diving) were also given Rs 2 lakhs each as part of encouragement during the ceremony.
It may be noted that 14 players and four officials from Manipur represented India at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 3.
Out of 14 players, eight of them did the country proud by bagging eight medals (1 Gold, 6 Silver and 1 Bronze) out of 59 medals (15 Gold, 30 Silver and 19 Bronze) won by India.
